Broken collarbone/Shooting?

[track1]

I broke my right collarbone and had surgery on Oct 8th. I was thinking about shooting left handed with a .243 for deer. The doctor doesn't know much about shooting/calibers or recoil so I was wondering if anyone here has dealt with this before. I've got a Bridger buck tag and Saturday is rifle opener. I'm guessing i should skip it and wait another week before doing much. Any input would be great.

 

[mdunc8]

Not sure how much it would help, but have you tried wearing a life jacket while shooting? Start with a .22 and gradually increase caliber to see what you can deal with. However, I'm pretty sure you won't feel anything when you pull the trigger on an 180" buck.

 

[SWMontana1]

Had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder and shot a .243 left handed, killed a bull and a buck. 243 worked well! Trying to gut and pack those animals out was a completely differnt story though!!

I would say wait... you don't need to be busting your shoulder up on opening weekend. Plus, it will be more enjoyable to hunt deer in the Bridgers with some snow and during the rut....

 

[fowladdict]

but have you tried wearing a life jacket while shooting?

I bet that would get some looks from other hunters.

Sounds like a good idea, however!

 

[Ben Lamb]

I bet that would get some looks from other hunters.

Sounds like a good idea, however!

Put a North Face logo on it and tell everyone you paid $350 for this new, hunter orange down vest.

 

[fowladdict]

Put a North Face logo on it and tell everyone you paid $350 for this new, hunter orange down vest.

This thread also makes me think of Back to the Future, episode I.

 

[nidahunter]

If you can accurately shoot left handed and it doesn't hurt, go for it. However, don't rush it, it is not worth a wounded deer!

 

[belly-deep]

I've got a Bridger buck tag and Saturday is rifle opener. I'm guessing i should skip it and wait another week before doing much. Any input would be great.

Do you have one picked out?

Have someone else sight the rifle in and then go hunting. Unless you have a buck picked out and know where he lives, I'm 99% sure you won't find one big enough to bust on opening weekend. If he is big enough, then he's worth re-breaking your collar bone for.

 

[track1]

I've already got the rifle sighted in and i have found a 180-185 inch buck that should still be in the same area. I'd like to dry-fire a couple of hundred rounds from some different shooting positions left handed before I actually shoot at a deer. I have a tripod and my hunting partner volunteered to pretty much give up his season to help me carry stuff in and out.

 

[kansasdad]

My son shoots left handed, I shoot righty. On my .243 our impact points vary by over 3 inches at 100 yards. In fairness to him, other folks shoot about where he is shooting it, so I think I probably have my scope dialed in to an astygmatism in my right eye.

If this buck is really a home body, how about a popup blind, and in it a shooting bench? Maybe even pre-position a lead sled. ( I know, I know, it really sounds like a Texas set-up now!)

 

[Bambistew]

I'd like to dry-fire a couple of hundred rounds from some different shooting positions left handed before I actually shoot at a deer.

Take your 22 to the range and put some down range. Shooting lefty isn't hard, just takes a bit getting used to.

Good luck on your hunt, hope you find/kill that big boy you've got pegged.

 

[track1]

He's several miles from the trailhead so a sled or blind probably wont fly. The 22 is a good idea just to confirm point of impact shooting lefty vs. righty.